Lake County, FL Business Licensing & Operations: Towing Companies (2026)

Lake County Code Sec. 15-7 sets maximum rates for 'nonconsensual towing,' defined as towing a vehicle from public or private property in the unincorporated county without the owner's consent, whether ordered by a law enforcement officer at an accident scene or a private property owner. Rates are split by vehicle class and by whether the tow originates from public or private property. For a Class A vehicle (10,000 lbs. or less), the base rate is $200.00 from public property but only $150.00 from private property, plus a $7.00 per-mile hook-up charge and inside storage of $56.00 (public) or $44.00 (private) per day.

Rates climb through Class B, C and D vehicles up to $1,062.00 base for anything over 25,000 lbs., and a rotator/50-ton recovery runs $1,546.00 per hour with a two-hour minimum. Storage fees may only be charged after an initial six-hour grace period, calculated on a 24-hour cycle starting at 12:01 a.m., and an $81.00 administrative fee applies only after 48 hours and only if the company has actually mailed the lien notice required by Section 713.78, Florida Statutes. An 'innocent owner,' someone whose vehicle was towed as a result of someone else's crime, cannot be charged more than $75.00 for the first 72 hours.

Sec. 15-7(g) makes it 'unlawful and a violation of this ordinance' for any towing operator to charge above these caps, and Sec. 15-7(i), citing Section 125.0103(d), Florida Statutes, lets anyone report an overcharge to the county manager, who investigates and can refer a confirmed violation to the Lake County Code Enforcement Special Master under the Chapter 8 hearing procedures.